It was a quirky twist of fate that the two Fulham forwards, considered by many to be Fulham misfits, ever met at the World Cup. And it was testament to their sides’ team spirit that their meeting came at the last-16 stage of the greatest show on the planet.

It was no surprise, however, to see Ruiz score for his country once more, while many Fulham supporters were less than shocked to see Mitroglou put in a mixed performance for the Greeks.

Team

Goals

mins / Touches

mins / Won Contest

mins / Successful Final Third Passes

mins / Aerial Won

Mins

Bryan Ruiz

Costa Rica

1

2.07

40.00

8.57

0

120

Kostas Mitroglou

Greece

0

5.17

0

15.50

62.00

62

As Opta stats show, 28-year-old Ruiz was an important presence for Costa Rica over 120 minutes, scoring their only goal and taking a touch every two minutes.

Mitroglou got less involved, making a touch every five minutes after coming on as a substitute. The Fulham striker also won just the one aerial duel - although that was more than Ruiz, he won no dribbles, compared to the Costa Rican's three.

Mitroglou's passing in the final third was also less successful, while the 26-year-old missed a big chance to win Greece the game in extra time.

On the basis of their World Cup campaigns so far, then, one clear winner emerges if the Cottagers ever had to decide which to keep out of the two.

Deciding to sell Mitroglou purely based on his World Cup form, though, would be harsh, as the Greece man is still short of fitness - and cost Fulham no less than £12 million.

On the subject of summer sales, another interesting figure of note in Costa Rica's clash with Greece was Giorgos Karagounis, the 37-year-old midfielder who Fulham have released ahead of the coming season.

Team

Pos

Accurate Pass

Touches

Won Contest

Won Tackle

Mins

Giorgos Karagounis

Greece

MF

72

104

1

4

120

Giannis Maniatis

Greece

MF

37

63

2

0

78

Lazaros Christodoulopoulos

Greece

MF

36

69

7

0

120

Celso Borges

Costa Rica

MF

34

44

0

0

120

Considering his age, the move not to extend Karagounis' contract is understandable - but he was still the best midfielder on the pitch in the last-16 tie.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...